Preview: Seoul E-Land VS Bucheon 1995

Seoul E-Land remain at home after crashing out of the FA Cup for a showdown at Jamsil with K League 2 high flyers, Bucheon 1995. Bucheon have made an incredible 100% record so far in the league, and their short trip across town will hopefully bring more of the same for the impressive side.(image via facebook.com/Seouleland)

Last Time Out

Seoul E-Land started the first of many consecutive home games last week, with a 0-0 stalemate against Gwangju FC. I tweeted out during the week, that the game would either be a masterpiece or one of the most boring games of the season. Unfortunately for the 560 fans who bothered to turn up for the game, the latter was apparent for the tie. In Chang-soo decided to rest Diego Bielkiewicz this week, and it showed, with no real threat throughout the game from the side.

Gwangju were actually pretty unlucky to walk away without all three points. Serbian Srđan Vujaklija missed a second half penalty and they looked the more promising of the two. The game ended with nothing much more to say than, a poor performance from both sides, no team really looked like they wanted to win the game. Things will have to improve if they believe they can get anything out of the game with the league leaders on Saturday.

Their opponents this week will be league toppers, Bucheon 1995. I am selfishly, pretty looking forward to watching them play at Jamsil, and witnessing their Brazillian talent William Popp. The side have only conceded two goals in four games, and scored eight.

They started their campaign with a close encounter with Daejeon Citizen, an 85th minute goal from Gong Min-Hyun lead Bucheon to a 2-1 victory. Bucheon followed that up, with a convincing 3-0 win against Anyang FC. The side then picked up away wins against Gwangju and Suwon, to bring their campaign so far as, four games, four wins. .

Previous Meetings

If you want to base the game on Saturday against the form of the two sides, you will have to favour heavily for the away side to pick up all three points. If you are a hopeful person, and back E-Land, you can support your enthusiastic claim with the last meetings between the two teams. Out of the last two encounters between the sides, the first one saw a 4-1 win for E-Land against Bucheon, and the second saw a 2-2 draw, both at Jamsil.

Furthermore, to cut E-Land some slack from the last four games, although they have not won any of their first four encounters, they have managed to get points against two big teams. Busan I’Park was pushing for promotion last year, and also made the FA Cup final. Gwangju, FC was playing in the top division last year, Seoul’s second club managed to get a point out of the two teams, so maybe E-Land show up more against the big teams. The leopards might put in the effort needed to get the fans into the ground, only Saturday will tell if they can cause an upset.

Who To Watch

Bucheon 1995 have had two players who have really been on fire for the side in this years campaign. Native player, Gong Min-hyun has been scoring multiple times for the side, and William Popp has scored in every game. Unfortunately for Bucheon, Gong Min-hyun picked up a red card against Suwon FC last week and will be out of the tie in the capital.

Who will play however, and defiantly will be in the line up, is Brazilian, William Popp. The Brazilian, as mentioned before has scored in all four games for the side, and is their residential penalty kick taker. Returning to Korea, from a poor stint at Japanese League 2 outfit, Avispa Fukuoka, Popp has hit the ground running with a ration of a goal a game.

Busan I’Park fans will remember the name, as he spent the 2016 season with the side, netting 18 goals in 38 appearances for the team. Popp has been prolific for Bucheon this year, and is a vital pawn in their side. Bucheon will hope for Popp to continue to show his strength and determination in front of goal, and claim the golden boot as his team strives to move into the top division.

Prediction

The two teams stand on opposite ends of the table when they meet on Saturday. Seoul E-Land have now not picked up a win in seven months, when It looks as if no one can stop Bucheon, in their domination of the league. We have seen that E-Land can score goals, and goals against Bucheon, as last season shows. Will In Chang-soo bring back Argentine Bielkiewicz and give them attacking options upfront?

Bucheon however, have been scoring for fun, and making the league look easy. A real bright note in what has been so far, an uninspiring season from any team in the division. Hopefully we will see a bigger and better attendance on Saturday for the tie, but this is one game I have zero confidence in for the leopards to come out victorious.

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